Judge — November 7, 1885 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon depicts a pyramid scheme or fraudulent financial structure. The image shows figures stacked vertically, with the caption "A PYRAMID OF FRAUD" identifying the satire's subject. The cartoon likely critiques a specific financial scandal or con artist operating during Judge's publication period. The pyramid structure suggests how such schemes work: participants at the bottom support those above through fraudulent promises, with money flowing upward to those orchestrating the scheme. The style and composition indicate this is political/economic satire targeting public deception. Without clearer identification of specific figures or dates visible in the image, I cannot specify which particular fraud or swindler this references, though such pyramiding schemes were recurring targets of American satirical magazines during various economic periods.